Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in District of Columbia
are my civil rights being violated?
there is someone in my work place that is causing a hostile working environment for my area. i am african american female. this person is feeding my supervisor negative information that is effecting our working relationship. this person has made several attempts to sabotages projects that i worked on as well as other things. what are my rights?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: are my civil rights being violated?
Unless you have legitimate reason to believe that race is the reason for the problem, it sounds more like a personality conflict that needs to be dealt with between you, the person and the supervisor.
I recommend that you speak with your supervisor, tell him/her your concerns, ask what is being said about you and address those allegations.
However, if any action is taken against you which you believe is race-based (again, you need a reasonable basis for such a belief - being a different color than someone else does not create discrimination by itself), such as demotion, lesser assignments, discipline, warnings, etc., then you could file a complaint for free with the EEOC.
Check your employer's policy manual for the sections on complaints/disputes and discrimination. There may be a procedure to follow if you want to file an internal complaint, such as with HR. Also, if you have a trusted manager/executive, consider asking for advice in confidence.
Good luck.
Jeff Sheldon
Jeffrey L. Sheldon, Esquire
The Sheldon Law Firm
17804 St. Lucia Isle Drive
Tampa, FL 33647
813.986.7580
(f) 813.986.7489
(Admitted in Fl., MD, D.C., and Pa.)
http://www.SheldonLawFirm.com
Disclaimer: This posting does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. It is not confidential, nor is it privileged, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult with an attorney for advice specific to the facts of your case.